…
The Official Brochure for Routes Africa 2012 has been released and it is set to increase the number of delegates to this aviation, airline and tourism board meeting which this year is set to take place in the much sought after mid-ocean tourist destination of the Seychelles this coming July.
Routes Africa 2012 is being co-hosted by the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority. Elsia Grandcourt and Gilbert Faure, CEOs of the Tourism Board and Civil Aviation Authority respectively were both at the Berlin Routes Meeting last year when it was discussed that Airlines, Civil Aviation Authorities and Tourism Boards jointly form the essential triangular approach for air and tourism development. This is when they both decided to join forces to bid for Africa Routes 2012.
The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority is the lead organization for Routes Africa 2012 even though the Seychelles Tourism Board has been the more involved with discussions and organizations for the event proper, but both organizations have been actively preparing to welcome airline delegates, airport authorities and tourism boards from Africa and beyond.
Routes Africa, now in its 7th year, is the annual gathering of air service decision makers for the African region and the 2012 event will take place on 8-10 July hosted by the Seychelles. The event will take place in the Seychelles capital Victoria and is expected to attract up to 150 delegates.
Then Routes Organizers said that “This will be the first time that the event has been held in the Indian Ocean region and will raise awareness of the need to increase connectivity between Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean region. It will also provide an ideal opportunity for our host to showcase their destination and celebrate the airport’s 40th anniversary”.
As of last week as soon as the Official Registration for Routes Africa 2012 opened Arik Air, Etihad Airways, Air Seychelles, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Mega Maldives and South African Airways from the airlines looking at Africa connectivity to the world had already registered and Ghana Airports, Aeroports du Mali, Aeroportos de Mozambique and Entebbe International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Bangalore International Airport had also already confirmed their participation..
Routes Africa attracts key decision makers from a wide variety of airlines with a growing presence from charter carriers and airlines based outside of the region wishing to learn more about the existing opportunities.
In addition to the one-to-one meetings the Routes Africa Strategy Forum will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 8th July and the morning of Monday 9th July. A panel of leading industry experts will take part in moderator led discussions addressing aviation and route development issues across the region including: ‘Unlocking the Market – Liberalization vs. Competition’; ‘Safety, Security & Standards’ and ‘The Road to Recovery – Rebuilding & Looking to the Future’. The Forum, which is open to all Routes Africa delegates, promises to be both stimulating and enjoyable with moderators encouraging debate between the panelists and members of the audience.
Routes Africa Organizers said that this is a key element of the event which should not be missed.
Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture who has been behind the Seychelles bid to host Routes Africa 2012 has said that he was organizing side meetings with Ministers of Tourism and was waiting for confirmation of the different country’s delegations before firming up the side meetings which will also be an opportunity to showcase the beauty and diversity of Seychelles.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
